Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Pop-Up Turns Sydney Into a Real DMZ

Ever wondered what it'd be like to step inside a Call of Duty DMZ? Sydney just found out. A limited-time Modern Warfare 4 pop-up took over Carriageworks, and it was every bit as intense as you'd hope.

The event was built for press, content creators, lucky Xbox Fan Fest attendees, and even some members of the public who snagged limited slots via registration. Organisers recreated a Korean demilitarised zone, complete with a razor wire fence splitting the space, roving spotlights, and a dank, smoke-machine vibe. Around sixty people were marched in, and the DMZ duality was immediately clear: two Koreas, one peninsula, and you had to pick a side.

Choosing North or South was facilitated by uniform-and-attitude-appropriate personnel, and once you picked, you got a Military Passport stuffed with tasks. Every stamp you earned was yours to keep, but every victory belonged to your side. The North's passport text was hilariously on-brand: 'Congratulations. You have been selected to serve the Northern Command, an honour granted to very few and refused by NONE.'

Activities ranged from hands-on MW4 Campaign gameplay on centre stage to Operation Crossfire, where you donned NVGs and entered a pitch-black shipping container to 'acquire a target.' There was Contraband Sweep, where you located anti-government items under a time limit, and an official State Portrait where you were told the North doesn't photograph happiness, only resolve. Daily Truth propaganda documents were hidden around the space, and a covert operative from Task Force 141 lurked about, ready to be confronted and have their permit seized.

The South side offered its own challenges, like defusing bombs with aid from fully kitted troops. Our writer, still jetlagged from a review trip at Infinity Ward, chose the North and blitzed through a campaign mission early, earning a stamp and even getting some exploits replayed on a massive screen. Despite the sleep deprivation, the event proved a stamp-worthy side diversion, matching the consensus that MW4's campaign is a return to form for Infinity Ward.

If you're keen to get in on the action, DMZ Early Access starts October 21 for those who preorder, and the full game launches October 23 in Australia. Will you be picking this up?